Mutually beneficial or asymmetric? Assessing the trade dimension of China-Africa South-South cooperation (mainly focusing on China and Ethiopia, with other countries mentioned as appropriate)

China-Africa Relations – Mutually Beneficial or Asymmetric? Student Name University Course Professor Name Date China-Africa Relations – Mutually Beneficial or Asymmetric? Abstract The China-Africa relations, as an embodiment of South-South relations, are often a polarizing debate depending on which side one picks. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an objective exploration of China-Africa cooperation to determine whether the relationship is indeed mutually beneficial or asymmetric. To achieve this objective, the proposed research adopts a mixed methods approach, a case study, and explanatory sequential designs, where primary research is used to help take a position that is subsequently expanded using secondary research. Literature Review South-South relations are a discourse that is growing in importance among various players, especially states, policymakers, and academics. The discourse explores how and to what extent South-South cooperation was conceptualized as a way to overcome exploitative North-South relations characterized by colonial conquest and exploitation (Fiddian-Qasmiyeh & Daley, 2019; Kim et al., 2017; Sajed, 2020). Countries in the global South have depended heavily on the First World countries for aid and support. However, many scholars have pointed out that these relations have not only been exploitative but have also failed significantly in addressing problems such as humanitarian crises, poverty, and climate crises. In many countries, these problems emanated from epistemic failure and material discrimination in the relationships between the humanitarian providers and beneficiaries (Carpi, 2019). Additionally, while the North-South relations focused on humanitarian aid and resource exploitation, the South-South relations offer an extended scope that includes infrastructure, investments, and development-related exchanges (Kragelund, 2025; Onyekwena & Ekeruche, 2019; Munyati, 2024). China, India, and Brazil are among the growing economies in the global south that are driving these relations. China's increasing engagement in Africa is the reason why China-Africa relations might be seen as the epitome of South-South interactions. With China’s influence outgrowing that of the West, there have been mixed reactions across the board, with some claiming that China is exploiting Africa while others acknowledging the mutually beneficial relations between China and African countries. China's ability to manage logistics has allowed them to construct remarkable infrastructure both domestically and internationally, particularly throughout Africa (Banik & Mawdsley, 2023). The outcomes of China's interactions with Africa are typically evident and palpable. For instance, in just a few decades, China has successfully lifted more than half a billion people out of poverty (Banik & Mawdsley, 2023). However, these figures are mostly in reference to poverty reduction in China, with efforts only extended to Africa. In essence, China has mostly been engaged in infrastructural projects and trade with African countries. Besides the infrastructure, these African countries also benefit from cheaper products from China, which goes a long way in alleviating poverty. With current academic literature divided regarding the nature of China-Africa relations as part of the broader South-South relations, there is a need to dive deeper into the topic to establish which position is correct and from what perspective. For example, China has built many infrastructure projects in Africa for free, including the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which was priced at $200 million. In other cases, China has also been accused of creating debt-traps in Africa by lending excessive amounts to countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and the Congo (Mutai et al., 2024; Sunny & Kumar, 2024; Himmer & Rod, 2022). ...